Method for handling coal



Nov. 8, 1932. n F. c. BROEMAN 1,886,632

` METHOD FOR HANDLING COAL y n Filed May 14, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK C. BROEMAN, F CINCINNATI, OHIO METHOD Fon. HANDLING COAL Application led May 14, 1929. Serial No. 363,052.

This invention relates to an improved method of handling coal, an object of which is to prevent the stirring up of .coal dust, thereby rendering the handling of coal less disagreeable t-o workmen.

Another object is to eliminate waste by preventing separation of the dust from the coal by applying to the coal, in certain quantities, a binder which is effective and inexpensive and which will not alter the character of the coal as a fuel.

Another object is the accomplishment of the above without increasing the fire hazardI incidental to the handling of coal.

Theseand other objects are attained, as will become apparent as the description proceeds. In the drawing, Fig. 1 shows in elevation a silo or bin from which coal is permitted to gravitate, the chute thereof having attached thereto a compressed air oil atomizer.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

In the treatment of coal with oil, the oil heretofore has been added to a mass of coal, after reduction of the coal to a pulverized condition, and distributed through the mass by mechanical agitation. The inventionthe oil and di herein consists in atomizing recting the atomized oil upon lump coal as the coal moves along a chute or conveyor, such as is used in coal "yards and stokers. It is a well known fact that-the handling of coal in stokers and in the storage yards is accompanied by the raising of a considerable amount 'of f dust, which condition maybe practically eliminated by employing the method and means disclosed herein.

Fig. 1 of the drawing discloses a coal chute Il which may, of course, be a power operated conveying means ,as well as a stationary one. For the sake ofconvenience of description, the chute is shown in association with a silo or bin 5, which is used for the storage of large quantities of coal, and from which the coal maybe dispensed as needed. The storagebin 5 is provided, in a wall thereof, with an opening through which the coal may gravitate to the chute. The opening preferably 1s provided with grating bars 7 to sive discharge of coal.

preclude exces- A door 8 is adapted to close lthe opening-6, and may be actuated by means of a lever arm 9 attached thereto, said lever arm being pivotally mounted, intermediate its ends, upon a v support or bracket 10 secured to the wall of the bin. The pivotal mounting for the arm is indicated at 11. A suitable bracket 12 may be secured to one of the sides 13 of the chute for supporting an atomizing device 14 having a plurality of nozzles 15 for directing atom'- ized oil unto the coal as it moves down the chute to the truck or other container indicated at 16.

The atomizing device may be of any suitable construction, such devices usually consisting of an air pressure pipe 17 and an oil pressure pipe 18 converging as at 19 in a mixing chamber 20. Suitablel valve means 21 are provided on the air and water pipes for regulating the mixture of air and oil to be ejected from the nozzles.

The means for supplying air and oil to thel atomizer comprises a closed reservoir 22 containing a, quantity of oil, the nature of which will be described hereinafter. An air com-"7 pressor 23, driven by any suitable means such as a motor 24, supplies air under pressure to the reservoir 22 by means of a pipe 25. An air supply pipe 26 extends for a short distance into the reservoir and communicates, by means of a flexible hose 27, with the portion 17 of the atomizer. An oil'supply pipe 28 extends through the reservoir to the bottom thereof and is placed in communication with portion 18 of the atomizer by means of flexible hose 29. Air forced into the reservoir by the compressor will cause a flow of oil through pipe 28 and a flow of air through ipe 26, the amount of each being regulated y valves 21. A suitable clamp or fastening ,90 means 30-may be provided for attachment of the atomizer to the supporting arm 12.

Excellent results have been obtained by the use of a light mineral oil which is liquid enough to vaporize when subjected, in an atmoizer, to air pressure of about 100 pounds per square inch. An oil of about 32 to 34 gravity ,is preferable, and it'should have a burning pointrating ofl approximately 400 degrees F., with a high Hash point, (approxi- 100 matel 350 degrees F.). In practice it has been ound that one-third to one-half gallon of oil to each ton of coal is suiicient to produce the desired result. Itis apparent, therefore, that the cost of using the method here- 5 in disclosed is not prohibitive, and that the advantages obtained by the use thereof warrant the expenditure of the nominal sum necessary to operate the atomizer. It will be understood that the hardest Acoal requires the least oil to prevent the raising of coal dust. An emulsion of oil and water also has given ood results. It is to be understood that su stances other than those mentioned herein may be suitable for application to coal by the method of this invention.

What is claimed is: A The method of treating coal and coke consisting of atomizing a llght mineral oil of approximately 32 gravity having a flash A point of approximately 350 degrees whereby to provide a fine mist or spray an then tumbling the coal or coke in the pres ence of the mist or spray, for a length of time sucient to deposit on the pieces of coal or coke, an enveloping lm of oil of such amount vas will distribute approximately'onegallon ofkoil over approximately one ton of coa-l or co e.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 8th da of May, 1929.

FRANK C. ROEMAN. 

